LOS ANGELES -- Utilizing its state of the art technology, The Jim Easton Global Classroom at UCLA Anderson hosted PepsiCo on January 12 for an internship information session for first-year students. Jill Seibert of Gatorade Innovation and Tim Ngo of Quaker Oatmeal, representatives of PepsiCo Chicago headquarters, spoke to students via the room's audio conferencing system.

Seibert and Ngo extolled the benefits of an internship at PepsiCo, while simultaneously projecting PowerPoint images onto the room's display screens. Students were equipped with individual microphones, enabling them to respond and ask questions directly about PepsiCo internships.

Many students enjoyed the personal and interactive nature of the information session. Felipe Wasserman ('11) said, "I enjoyed how helpful the meeting was. The sound quality was impressive and it really felt like the people were right in front of us." He had only one complaint, saying, "I wished we were able to use the room's video conferencing capability."

Donna Robinson, UCLA Anderson's associate director of employer relations, believed the event was a success. "I think the conference was well received by both parties. The students asked very intelligent and pertinent questions that they were able to get immediately answered," she said. Robinson has worked on creating a relationship with PepsiCo since 2008. Proud of the result, she said, "It was one of the first times UCLA Anderson connected with PepsiCo. Today marked the first time we have developed and grown a relationship virtually."

About UCLA Anderson School of ManagementUCLA Anderson School of Management, established in 1935, is regarded among the very best business schools in the world. UCLA Anderson faculty are ranked #1 in "intellectual capital" by BusinessWeek and are renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Each year, UCLA Anderson provides management education to more than 1,600 students enrolled in MBA, Executive MBA, Fully-Employed MBA and doctoral programs, and to more than 2,000 professional managers through executive education programs. Combining highly selective admissions, varied and innovative learning programs, and a world-wide network of 35,000 alumni, UCLA Anderson develops and prepares global leaders.